For our second preview for the upcoming Stack’s Bowers Galleries January
2017 January New York International Numismatic Convention Auction, we are
excited to showcase a gorgeous ancient coin. This coin was struck under the
authority of Brutus, assassin of Julius Caesar. The story of Marcus Junius
Brutus is well known. He initially opposed the first Triumvirate (Crassus,
Pompey the Great and Caesar) and was subsequently defeated in the Battle of
Pharsalus. Caesar pardoned him and inducted him into his inner circle of
allies. After Caesar adopted the title of Dictator in Perpetuity, a group
conspired to end the tyrant’s life, and Brutus took on a leading role. On March
15th – the Ides – the conspirators ambushed Caesar at the Senate and
murdered him. Though initially granted amnesty by the Senate, the conspirators
fled Rome after a populist uprising. Caesar’s successors formed a second
triumvirate (Lepidus, Marc Antony and Caesar Octavian), rallied the late
Caesar’s Legions and set off on a campaign of retribution. Two and a half years
later, the war would be decided at Philippi, Macedonia, in an intense battle
with many casualties. His forces routed, Brutus recognized the futility of
continued resistance as well as the likelihood of capture and death, and chose
to die by his own hand.
The coin featured here was an issue of this last campaign against the
Second Triumvirate, struck just months before the final confrontation. The
obverse displays the head of Apollo wearing a laurel crown with the legends:
“LEG – COSTA” around, which refer to the mint official Pedanius Costa who held
the title of Legate. A military trophy is seen on the reverse, with the legend:
“IMP BRVTVS” around. The design provides a visual reference to Brutus claiming
the title of Imperator, thanks to his previous military victories. This coin
features all of the attributes you could ask for in an ancient coin; a sharp strike,
great centering and gorgeous iridescent toning.
We are now accepting consignments of world and ancient coins as well as
world paper money for our January 2017 New York International Auction, and
Chinese and other Asian coins and currency for our April 2017 Hong Kong
Showcase Auction. Time is running short, so if you are interested in consigning
your coins and paper currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity)
be sure to contact one of our consignment directors.
